Reb Noson – In Honor of the Hilula on the Tenth of Tevet

Reb Noson of Breslov was the foremost disciple of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. In honor of his yahrzeit on the Tenth of Tevet, here are a few anecdotes about his life, legacy and the book Through Fire and Water, which beautifully details his remarkable journey.

Reb Noson Sternhartz (15 Shevat, 1780 – 10 Tevet, 1845) epitomized the role of a devoted disciple. After Rebbe Nachman’s passing, Reb Noson guided the Breslov Chassidim with unwavering commitment, steadfastly adhering to his Rebbe’s teachings without ever assuming a formal leadership title.

The name Reb Noson evokes deep respect and nostalgia among Breslover Chassidim. His life, marked by extraordinary challenges and opposition, was a testament to his awe-inspiring perseverance and unwavering faith.

While it is impossible to encapsulate Reb Noson’s monumental contributions in a brief article, key moments of his journey stand as shining examples of courage and devotion. For a deeper dive into his incredible life and struggles, the bestselling biography Through Fire and Water, published by the Breslov Research Institute, offers a comprehensive and inspiring account.

Reb Noson was born on the 15th of Shevat, 1780, to his father, Rabbi Naftali Hertz, and his mother, Chaya Lena, a respected family in the town of Nemirov. His father was one of the community leaders and esteemed figures. Even as a child, Reb Noson stood out with his unique character, refined soul, integrity and noble qualities, along with rare dedication to Torah study.

At a very young age, as was customary in those days, Reb Noson married the daughter of one of the great scholars of his generation, Rabbi David Tzvi Auerbach, known as Rabbi David Tzvi the Great. Rabbi David Tzvi was the chief rabbi of the regions of Sharigrad, Mohyliv and Kremenetz—three large and renowned districts. Several towns were under his jurisdiction. Rabbi David Tzvi greatly rejoiced in his son-in-law and planned to appoint him as his successor upon the completion of his term.

However, Reb Noson, being a man of truth, sought the ultimate truth. In his search, he began to take an interest in the Chassidic path, whose light was spreading in those days. A close friend with whom he studied introduced him to the teachings of Chassidut, which was then flourishing. Dozens of leaders, disciples of the Maggid of Mezritch (a disciple of the holy Baal Shem Tov), were spread throughout Ukraine, radiating their light to their surroundings.

Reb Noson began drawing close to these tzaddikim, spending time with one for a while and then with another. Over time, he visited many of the renowned tzaddikim: Rabbi Zusha of Anipoli, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, Rabbi Mordechai of Neshkhiz and many others. However, despite everything, Reb Noson felt that something essential was still missing, something that could bring true fulfillment to his soul.

During the period when Reb Noson was close to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, the Chassidim sat on a Saturday night for a Melaveh Malka meal and cast lots to determine who would go buy bagels for the meal, and it fell on Reb Noson. Reb Noson left, his heart broken into pieces. Here he had merited to draw close to such a great and holy tzaddik, yet he still felt far from truly serving Hashem.

During the period when Reb Noson was close to Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berdichev, the Chassidim gathered on a Saturday night for a Melaveh Malka meal. They cast lots to decide who would go buy bagels for the meal, and the task fell to Reb Noson. He left with his heart broken into pieces. Despite meriting to draw close to such a great and holy tzaddik, he still felt distant from truly serving Hashem.

In his dream, Reb Noson saw himself climbing a ladder. Suddenly, he slipped and fell. He tried to get up and climb again, succeeding in reaching higher than before, but once more he fell. This time the fall was harder and more painful. Again, he tried climbing, and again he fell. This happened several times, each fall more painful than the last, until he could no longer summon the strength to climb.

Suddenly, a radiant figure approached him. The man’s face shone like an angel of Hashem. He turned to Reb Noson and said, “Climb and hold on tight” (in Yiddish: “Drap zich un halt zich”). Encouraged by these words, Reb Noson climbed again. This time, he successfully reached the top of the ladder.

Reb Noson awoke, and the dream was etched deep in his heart. He returned to the group, who were still sitting at the Melaveh Malka meal. When they asked why he had taken so long, he evaded with a casual excuse.

In 1802, the meeting that would leave an eternal impression on the world occurred. Rebbe Nachman, a great-grandson of the Baal Shem Tov, moved to the town of Breslov, near Nemirov. Reb Noson and his close friend Rabbi Naftali heard of him. At the end of the month of Elul, they traveled to meet Rebbe Nachman, whose reputation had recently grown. Upon seeing Rebbe Nachman for the first time, Reb Noson recognized him as the figure he had seen in his dream. He knew he had found the teacher his soul had been searching for.

Rebbe Nachman warmly received Reb Noson, as the latter recorded in his writings: “He drew me close with abundant mercy and carried me as a nurse carries an infant.” Rebbe Nachman, too, reciprocated, saying, “From now on, I am no longer alone.” Rebbe Nachman recognized in Reb Noson the disciple who would write down his every Torah teaching and transmit his eternal message to future generations. From that moment until his passing, Reb Noson was wholly devoted to Rebbe Nachman and his teachings, dedicating his entire being to this mission.

From the moment he drew close to Rebbe Nachman, Reb Noson began writing down his teachings and discourses, compiling them into a book. Reb Noson missed no opportunity to hear Rebbe Nachman’s words, drinking them in with great thirst. At Rebbe Nachman’s directive, Reb Noson began composing his own Torah insights, based on the lessons and introductions he had learned from his master. When Reb Noson showed these writings to Rebbe Nachman, his teacher expressed great pleasure and encouraged him to continue. These teachings eventually became the monumental series Likutey Halachos, filled with extraordinary insights based on Rebbe Nachman’s Torah, offering strength and hope to every Jew, wherever they may be.

Years later, Reb Noson’s students asked why he merited more than the other disciples of Rebbe Nachman, who were also great and righteous individuals. He answered: While the other disciples would hear Rebbe Nachman’s Torah on Friday nights and then go to sleep, Reb Noson, on the other hand, could not rest after hearing such profound words. Instead, he would go to the Bug River, which flows through Breslov, and cry out from the depths of his heart: “A fire burns in Breslov—ignite it within me!”

After Rebbe Nachman’s passing, it seemed as though the light had dimmed, and darkness descended at midday. Reb Noson himself wrote that, at first, he thought he would be able to live quietly with the words and encouragement he had received from Rebbe Nachman throughout his life. He did not initially intend to continue Rebbe Nachman’s mission. However, as he worked on publishing the second part of Likutey Moharan, Reb Noson began traveling among the Breslov Chassidim, urging them to assist with the printing. In the process, Reb Noson spoke about Rebbe Nachman’s Torah and realized that the light was still with him and that everything depended on him. At that moment, Reb Noson knew that his role was to carry the torch forward. The way to do this, he understood, was through printing Rebbe Nachman’s books and teaching his sacred advice.

From that point onward, this became Reb Noson’s life’s mission. He devoted himself entirely to publishing Rebbe Nachman’s works, even establishing a printing press in his own home, despite the significant risks involved.

Reb Noson also gave his all to build the Kloyz, the synagogue in Uman, where the Chassidim would gather during Rosh Hashanah. In doing so, he ensured the continuation of the famous “Kibbutz” gathering even after Rebbe Nachman’s passing. This “Kibbutz,” founded by Reb Noson, continues to this day.

As we wrote at the beginning of this article, Reb Noson’s life and work are too extensive to fully encompass in a short article. We highly recommend the book Through Fire and Water, written by my father, Reb Chaim Kramer, and published by the Breslov Research Institute. The book provides an in-depth and fascinating account of Reb Noson’s life—from his birth, marriage and connection to Rebbe Nachman, through the events of his life while close to Rebbe Nachman, and on to the period after Rebbe Nachman’s passing and up until Reb Noson’s own passing.

This book is a bestseller, and many testify that it is so gripping they read it cover to cover without being able to stop. Highly recommended!

Click here to buy the biography of Reb Noson: Through Fire and Water